The short answer
Drink kava to unwind at the end of the day; drink kanna for the social part of the evening. Try kava with Botanical Brewing's Orange Dream and kanna with Pomegranate Fusion. Skip kanna if you take antidepressants.Our quick picks
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The quick comparison
| Kava | Kanna | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Root of Piper methysticum | Sceletium tortuosum, a succulent |
| From | South Pacific | South Africa |
| Reputation | Relaxed, end-of-day | Lighter, social, chatty |
| Our can | Kava Orange Dream | Kanna Pomegranate Fusion |
| Skip it if | Liver problems, pregnancy, with alcohol | Antidepressants or mood medication, pregnancy |
Kava: the wind-down
Kava has been the South Pacific's evening drink for centuries. It's the drink for the end of the workday, the couch and the porch. Botanical Brewing's Orange Dream is our pick.
Kanna: the social one
Kanna's reputation is lighter and more social. People bring it to dinner parties and first dates. Botanical Brewing's Pomegranate Fusion is our pick.
Can you drink them together?
We'd keep it simple and choose one per occasion. Never combine either with alcohol.
Questions people ask
What's the difference between kava and kanna?
Kava is a South Pacific root traditionally used as a relaxing evening drink. Kanna is a South African succulent with a lighter, more social reputation.
Which is better for a party, kava or kanna?
Kanna has the more social reputation, which makes it our dinner-party pick.
Can you mix kava and kanna?
We recommend choosing one per occasion, and never mixing either with alcohol.
